Conference theme

Being different may be a source of pride as well as a source of shame. How does it feel to be “different” in the Nordic countries? And how does it feel to be “different” as Nordic in a global perspective, a perspective in which the Nordic countries are currently hailed as the happiest, wealthiest, and most egalitarian nations on earth? Being/feeling different may be valued positively as well as negatively; it may serve constructive as well as destructive purposes; it may be inclusive as well as exclusive.

We assume some of the significant emotions related to experiences of Nordic difference and diversity in the North, are (and have been) pride, guilt, and shame. Shame and guilt are social emotions linked in various ways to collective and individual identities. The conference focus is on positions of perceived difference from which notions of Nordic identities may be questioned and negotiated through affective work. Or perhaps they are simply maintained through affective work.

Our attention is drawn to minority groups experiencing various forms of shaming within and outside the North, whether one is made to feel ashamed of one’s racial, ethnic, linguistic, or sexual background and orientation. Ablebodiedness may likewise be an issue. Our attention is likewise drawn to majority groups feeling more or less guilty or justified in their positions of privilege.

The conference invites contributions from different fields of enquiry, including postcolonialism, critical race and whiteness studies, disability studies, queer studies, gender studies, eco criticism, and affect studies. The primary object of study is Nordic literature in all its forms, genres, presentations, hybridizations, transformations, and contextualizations.

Papers topics include (but are not limited to):

Guilt and shame related to privilege (and lack thereof)

Climate-guilt/eco-guilt (and shame)

Consumer-guilt

Outsider shaming, shame, and shamelessness

Colonial guilt and shame (past and present)

Pride

Other affects and emotions inspired by feelings of difference such as sadness, angst, anger, ambivalence, a sense of solidarity, and a sense of responsibility